Have we forgotten anything outside?

Much of the inspiration in my writing comes from experiences in my own life or from what I have observed or learnt from others or read. I regard myself as a spiritual person, in terms of my faith, but want that spiritually to infiltrate what I do practically in my life. I desire to be a person who doesn’t just talk the talk but also walk the talk! I don’t always get it right, but try to remind myself it is my desire to be authentic.

One of my favourite writers is Michael Hyatt ( michaelhyatt.com ) who is the ex chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers ( thomasnelson.com ) amongst the top 10 publishers in the USA. Michael is an established and popular author and inspires me tremendously. In a recent blog he entitled “When you realise you’re living in a bubble”, he spoke about the trap we can fall into of getting wrapped up in the “Bubble” of life we can find ourselves in.

He went on; ” We realised we pretty much lived in a ‘constructed reality’. I had a beautiful wife, five amazing daughters, and a great job. We were prosperous and comfortable. I didn’t realize I lived in a bubble. We went on a week-long missions trip to rural Ethiopia, led by Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision. The poverty was astonishing. We met people who survived on a few dollars a month, others who walked ten miles a day just to get water for their family, and children who had become orphans when their parents had died of AIDS. Despite all of that, the Ethiopian people remained joyful in the midst of unrelenting hardship. My friend Max Lucado, who was traveling with us, commented, “There are more honest smiles among the poor of Ethiopia than the shopping malls of America. So true.”

Michael’s blog, as always, was well written and relevant to our times. It had me considering my life and whether, despite having spent the past 24 years of my life in missions, I also find myself in a “constructed reality bubble”. I say this because in December last year my wife and I moved from the tiny country of Lesotho, our mission field we had served in for our previous 15 years, to what I regard as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town, at the Southern tip of Africa. Cape Town is wonderful, scenic, with a temperate climate (save for 2 very stormy months normally around July and August), majestic in its beauty with a well managed environment in the most part. However hidden within this beauty, as with the rest of South Africa, is the legacy of the apartheid system from just over 18 years ago, along with the provincial government’s struggles to manage the disparity between the have’s and have not’s of this land.

As beautiful as this city is, the recent torrential rains, freezing temperatures and gale force winds that give this tip of Africa the name Cape of Storms, exposed once again, the huge gap between 1st and 3rd world in this breathtaking part of the planet. But what really had me pondering (I’m known to do this), was a cartoon in our local paper depicting our suburb of Fish Hoek during the stormy weather. The cartoon (not sure if tongue in cheek or not) surely touched on something deep for most people living here.

Some living in a “constructed reality bubble” may have thought of an item close to the heart left outside…possibly a special chair, bicycle, perhaps even a pet or other cherished item. Others may have watched the news, read the paper (including the cartoon) and wondered if they have forgotten something else outside. Perhaps though, the people of Masiphumalele have been on some of the minds of those “in the bubble” . This settlement was reportedly the worst hit during the recent storms, the entire area, including formal houses amongst the shacks, being flooded. A comment from a spokesperson for the community asked “How many more years must this continue? These people are not fish, they are human beings. I am hoping and praying the City will be able to provide alternative land for the people”

I know our response may be that its the government’s job to take care of the people of Masiphumalele and to an extent that’s true. However I was touched by Michael Hyatts response after Ethiopia and thoughts of our own in missions over 24 years. Michael said on his return :

“I didn’t know what my experience in Ethiopia would mean for our future. I didn’t know if I should quit my job and move to Africa, sell my possessions and give the money to the poor, or stay put. Most of all, I didn’t want to be sucked back into the bubble of a comfortable life. Over time, we worked through the implications of this experience for our lives. Not that we have it all figured out. We don’t. But we are working hard to make decisions that are counter-cultural and require courage. In short, being comfortable is no longer enough. We want to make a contribution—in time and for eternity.”

Whilst serving in missions we adopted a phrase for those whose lives had been severely changed as a result of “walking across the room” and experiencing face to face the reality of others hardships. It was being “spoiled for the ordinary” and mostly resulted in a discomfort of living in the “Bubble” as described by Michael Hyatt. Surely we too have a role to play by stepping out of our “bubble” in doing what we can for people living in places like Masiphumalele.

Are we willing to be one of those shaken up, yet transformed by, confronting the world’s most difficult challenges. But it will take courage. As Michael says;

This requires sacrifice, but the sense of significance you get is well worth the cost. And if you’re ready to do this—to live the life you’re afraid of—here’s what you need to do next:

Admit you’re living in a bubble.

Step out of your comfort zone.

Put yourself into a situation that will require courage.

Then see how you grow. You might be surprised at just how alive you feel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hi Ray,
Getting out of that bubble certainly does take a lot of courage and more. I recently saw the poem below and it really spoke to me. It really boils down to the last line though – are we willing to walk the talk

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Hi Ray,
Thankyou for sharing this. Often during winter I think of people living in appalling conditions such as you describe. Living up here we have the cold of course, but to be cold AND wet! I feel so for babies and children who should have warmth and nurturing to grow into our future leaders…it’s sad. A friend of mine(found through facebook after 25 years!) recently visited me and it was like we were never apart. Her visit was special but she said something really profound. She said “I won’t preach to you, I will live my life and SHOW you that I am a Christian”. That really struck a chord for me….we need people DOING, not TELLING! I sometimes see little things that people do- they don’t realise the impact their deed has on a person. Even a smile or a thankyou can be remembered for a long time afterwards. A blanket dropped off at a SPCA, a warm hand- knitted jersey given to a little child walking to school shivering…just little things that are not a huge sacrifice. And guess what, the “giver” might just get JUST as much reward! Bye Ray.

Thanks Alyson…you have some very valid and impacting thoughts…sometimes just a smile can make all the difference to someone who needed it just at that time. There are so many ways we can “show Jesus” to people if we choose to follow His example of how He treated them when He was on earth.

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Testimonials

Really, really enjoyed your book Ray. I see how our faithful God has used your lives for His glory. He needed very special people to nurture His precious ones in Lesotho and the Haakonsen family were His first choice - Julie

Ray, I have loved reading your book. It is such a testimony of how God can and does use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats. Thank you for your honesty and forthrightness. Your dedication to serve Him and do His will, no matter the cost is an inspiration. - Kev Wood

I have just finished reading an autographed copy of your book “An Arrested Heart” (note that this is the 2nd book i have read cover to cover in my 39 yrs on earth). What a buy. I have not been able to put the book down.You captured my heart, mind, thoughts and being in your book and it has opended my eyes to many aspects of my life, business, family and where I have fallen short! - Wayne Bezuidenhout

thanx for a great book. all i can say is praise God:) - Sharon Trew

Excellent book Ray and thanks for the insight into your life... looks like God showed you the way. - Gordon

Ray, I loved your book, it was so inspiring. It reenforces the act of giving glory to God through trusting in Him alone, even when things seem impossible. Thanks Ray, for sharing your life with all of us. Your experiences prove God's faithfullness. May he continue to bless you and the work you and Sue do!! - Marlene

My Dad and I chatted about the first part of the book on the phone and agree that it was not just your own personal story you were telling Ray, it was also partly the story of many others of us who lived through those surreal Rhodesian airforce days and you have told it magnificently, honestly and accurately on behalf of all of us. - Ged

Amazing account of a transformed life. - Wayne

Thanks for sharing your life through the book, enjoyed reading it - good job! - Rick Dickson

Ray - what an amazing book. So inspiring and motivational. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. So nice to read about the old days in Zim. You and Sue are extraordinary people and a wonderful example. - Annette

I have just completed your book... I really was hooked from start to finish. - Gary

Profound quotes

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms,the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat”